It brought Sphinx's points total to 19 out of 21 since Paul Mills took over as caretaker boss and he purred: "The lads were absolutely magnificent. Derbies are always messy and difficult affairs - this was also fast and furious and we took control and stayed in control."

Marconi joint-boss Stewart Gallagher said: "Sphinx were well organised and worked hard for their win - congratulations to them, we have no complaints."

Sphinx went ahead midway through the first half when midfielder Craig Jones lashed home a half-volley from an acute angle.

And they clinched victory with 10 minutes to go when the impressive Damian McDade netted with a 15-yard shot.

Massey Ferguson midfielder Mattie Cairns notched a hat-trick of immaculately taken penalties as his side overcame bottom-of-the-table Continental Star in an eventful game at Banner Lane.

The visitors had three men sent-off in an amazing 35th-minute uproar over the second penalty - awarded for a challenge which saw Nigel Kiernan carried off with a gashed foot - which almost saw the game abandoned.

The three were red-carded for foul and abusive language to the referee and the game was held up for some 10 minutes as he attempted to restore order.

Massey manager Loz Cairns said: "It was a hard challenge on Nigel but, to be fair, it perhaps did not warrant a penalty. Their lads went absolutely mad at the referee who was very brave and stood his ground.

"We kept right out of it but it appeared at one point that the game might be going to be abandoned."

It was Mattie Cairns's first hat-trick in senior football -and he was only taking the penalty because regular spot-kick expert Ricky Smith was out through injury.

Pete Heggarty, Neil Fearn and Gareth Plant, who went on as sub for Kiernan but was carried off himself in the closing stages, bagged the other Massey goals.

A 50th-minute "fluke" sentenced Nuneaton Griff to defeat in their vital top-of-the-table clash at Studley BKL.

Griff boss Mark Green said: "We did not create too many chances and neither did they but overall Studley deserved the win as they had more possession."

The deciding goal came when Steve Hands's toe-poke from the edge of the box as he challenged Ian Brain and Jamie Hood flew goalwards and completely wrong-footed keeper Mark Dunn.

Alvis Oakwood were involved in a dour Division One goalless draw at home to Hams Hall.

Coventry City YTS duo Mark Robinson and Alan Ward are included in the Alvis squad for tonight's match against Poles-worth North Warwickshire.

Three late goals saw Kenilworth Town go down 6-2 at Knowle, Alex Hudson and Craig Arnold netting for Town.